Telegraph

25 March 2011

By Roland Rudd

Two years of economic recovery and relative peace in Zimbabwe may be the calm before the storm, writes Roland Rudd.

Britain has recently invested heavily in flooding Zimbabwe’s schools with 13 million new books. Since David Coltart became the Education Minister for the faction of the Movement for Democratic Change led by the student leader Arthur Mutambara as part of the government of national unity, most of the country’s schools are open every day of the school year, compared to being chaotic and closed for over a hundred days in the previous one.

After years of chronic hyperinflation, the use of foreign currencies was legalised in January 2009 and the ruined Zimbabwe dollar fell almost entirely out of use. This masterstroke by Tendai Biti, the MDC Finance Minister, means that shops and supermarkets throughout Harare are now full. The economy grew for the first time in a decade last year by 4.5 per cent, and annular inflation fell from 3.3 per cent in January to 3 per cent in March.

For a country that had been on the brink of collapse in 2008, facing mass starvation, political suppression and brutality, this is part of a remarkable bounce back.

But the last two years of economic recovery and relative peace may be the calm before the storm. Political suppression and the climate of intimidation are back, as well as Robert Mugabe’s familiar rhetoric of bashing British and American “imperialists”.

Elton Mangoma, the MDC Energy Minister and an important ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, was recently arrested on charges of abuse of office and released on bail. The number of MDC officials and MPs being targeted and followed by the feared Central Intelligence Organisation is again increasing. In the open air markets of Harare, people are only willing to voice opposition to Mugabe in hushed tones, and away from prying eyes. The climate of intimidation is back.

Elections in Zimbabwe are synonymous with violent beatings, intimidation and vote-rigging. Rumours abound that Mugabe is very ill with advanced prostate cancer and that he is keen to bring forward elections which were not due until 2013 to this year. He wants to secure enough votes for Zanu PF to rule without the MDC, and without agreeing to a new constitution that was promised in the 2008 political agreement.

Added to this, Mugabe’s government has had a huge windfall from diamonds in the south of the country, claiming to have stockpiled some 4.6m carats worth up to $1.7 billion. China has been steadily increasing its influence there, building a new military base to gather intelligence for Mugabe, and recently announcing about $700 million worth of lending.

Britain has an absolute moral duty to ensure that Zimbabwe is high on the international agenda. Recent tragedies in Japan and New Zealand, and the uprisings in North Africa have obviously focused the world’s attention away from southern Africa, but we must not allow Zimbabwe to be lost to another half decade of sclerotic and violent rule. Given our historical relationship with Zimbabwe, we have a special responsibility.

Practically, we need to do three things. First, we need to ensure that Jacob Zuma prevents Mugabe from cutting and running on the deal that South Africa helped negotiate in 2008 by holding premature elections. As South Africa’s president, he holds all the power in this situation.

Perhaps the most important element of that deal was the agreement to draft a new and fully democratic constitution before elections in 2013. This has not happened, and it now looks like Mugabe is trying to wriggle out of it. Zimbabwe’s powerful Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is also pushing Mugabe to hold early elections, fearing that the unity government’s success in stabilising the economy could be a boon for the MDC. This could well be the case, and would be good for the MDC if free and fair elections were held in 2013 under a new constitution.

Secondly, we need to end the sporting boycott. England missed an opportunity to support democrats in Zimbabwe when it cancelled a cricket tour in 2009. The MDC needs to be able to show that their presence in government is making a difference. Isolating Mugabe with sporting boycotts and sanctions makes it easier for him to argue that all of the world is against him, and blame his self-made troubles on Britain and the west.

Thirdly, we may have to be prepared to drop some economic sanctions, especially those that prevent companies investing. Jacob Zuma has said that the sanctions are not helping, and that the unity government is being “suffocated”. The opposition in Zimbabwe is divided on the issue. Some believe that the end of sanctions would lead to Mugabe flying straight to London and declaring victory over the UK. However, if the price of doing a deal with Zuma is to end some travel restrictions, then the price has got to be worth paying.

In turn, Mugabe is threatening to nationalise foreign companies based in Zimbabwe if sanctions are not dropped. Many domestic companies are in such an appalling state that they have not made money in ten years, and exist solely to pay the pensions and salaries of their employees. Foreign owned assets therefore present a tempting target. Sanctions will be the main plank of any future Mugabe election campaign, and the way they are currently set up is doing more harm than good.

Zimbabwe is on a knife edge and this is a crucial moment. Mugabe is trying to goad the MDC into pulling out of the coalition so he can call elections which he may win through sheer intimidation. Britain needs to keep Zimbabwe on the global political agenda, neutralise the sanctions issue as an electoral advantage for Mugabe, and do a deal with Zuma to stop Zanu PF from fighting dirty. Today’s generation of Zimbabwean children will not thank us if we allow Mugabe and Zanu PF to keep their stranglehold on Zimbabwe because we stubbornly insisted on maintaining a sanctions programme that did not move the country towards full democracy.

Roland Rudd is Senior Partner at Finsbury and Chairman of Business for New Europe.

Herald

24 March 2011

Herald Reporter

Government will soon print textbooks to ease shortages in secondary schools, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has said.

Launching the Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting Programme in Chitungwiza yesterday, Minister Coltart said a survey was being conducted to assess the different needs of schools across Zimbabwe.

“A survey on book shortages is being carried out and by the beginning of the second term we will start printing according to the number of books that are needed,” he said.

Minister Coltart said the ministry was looking at the six core subjects; Mathematics, Science, English, History and Geography.

“Printing of the required number of books will start as soon as the survey is complete and that is around the beginning of second term.

“We expect to start distribution in the late half of this year,” he said.

The peri-urban Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting Programme has seen seven schools in Zimbabwe getting gutters and tanks to store up to 30 000 litres of water.

Tasimukira Primary School in Chitungwiza received seven such tanks, which the minister said came in handy in providing the school with an alternative source of water.

He said this would also help avert outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

The International Relief Development started the rainwater-harvesting programme in 2009 and has donated facilities worth US$4,5 million to date.

Nehanda Radio

By Besester Gomo

24 March 2011

Zimbabwe’s Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Senator David Coltart has confessed to being a Highlanders fan. Coltart said this while sharing a light moment with officials from bitter rivals Dynamos at his offices.

Dynamos officials led by the board chairman Richard Chiminya arranged the meeting to present a souvenir for their 50-year anniversary celebration countdown. They also wanted to deliver their proposal of working with schools around the country.

Coltart said: “I am a Highlanders supporter, I must confess. But I must admit that Dynamos is doing well and has been doing well in the past. You have really picked well. You are doing a great job for the country. Your performance last Sunday was great.

“Dynamos are a great brand. But what worries me is that you have not exploited it. The fact that the team is doing well on the pitch may well be a sign that you are now putting your house in order. “I’m glad you realise the importance of schools in football. The foundation of sport is schools and clubs.

“Schools and clubs should therefore work together. At the moment we are in the process of changing our curriculum to incorporate sport. Football, for example, should create a career path to those who play. But the tragedy has been that those who play football sometimes cannot make a living out of it.

“Often, we hear that at 30, a former footballer becomes destitute. It’s because they have not been given a career path within their sporting discipline. Our clubs are not very strong financially. But I believe that the first stage towards strengthening them is to create permanent homes for clubs.”

Telegraph

By Telegraph staff and agencies

22 March 2011

Pakistan’s World Cup win over Australia has restored the team’s battered image and boosted their credentials as champions-in-waiting, according to captain Shahid Afridi.

Pakistan beat Australia by four wickets to end the defending champions’ unbeaten 34-match streak in the World Cup stretching back to 1999.

It also meant Pakistan finished top of Group A and gave them a quarter-final clash against the West Indies in Dhaka on Wednesday while Australia tackle India in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

“We knew that beating Australia would be very important for us and this win has enhanced our image, sending a good signal to the cricket world that we can win despite our difficult situation,” Afridi said.

Pakistan entered the tournament on the back of a spot-fixing scandal which led to lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

“Despite all our problems Pakistan is blessed with talent and it’s because of this talent that we are a dangerous team and can win against anyone. We now hope to carry on the momentum,” Afridi said.

“They have qualified for the quarter-finals after some good play, so we have to do well in all three departments because it’s a knockout stage from here,” Afridi, the leading wicket-taker with 17 in six matches so far, added.

“Our focus is on the quarter-final, we have to win that to reach the semi-final, so we are not thinking that far. First we have to win a must-win match against a dangerous opponent.”

Bangladesh has promised to ramp up security to ‘state-level’ for the West Indies team in an attempt to ensure the quarter-final passes off trouble-free, a senior police officer said on Monday.

Bangladeshi officials are keen to avoid a repeat of the embarrassing March 4 incident, when an angry mob pelted the West Indies team bus with stones.

Dhaka police commissioner Benazir Ahmed told AFP the West Indies team would be provided with the “highest security” possible when they arrive later Monday and police would made sure there was no “crowd trouble”.

“The West Indies are our valued guests and we will ensure the highest state-level security to them. It’s a state-level commitment. We shall make sure that there is no crowd along the key parts of the road to the stadium,” he said. “They can be assured of foolproof security,” he added.

Zimbabwe will host a Test match against Pakistan in August, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

Zimbabwe, who have not played Test cricket since 2005 after suspending their status due to political problems in the country, are due to play a test match and two one-day internationals against Pakistan.

“We will be touring Zimbabwe in August to play the lone test and ODIs and we then host Sri Lanka for a future tours program series,” a PCB official said.

The Zimbabwe cricket union voluntarily suspended its Test status in 2006 when the country was engulfed in political turmoil, forcing many leading players to retire from international cricket.

Zimbabwe sports minister David Coltart has defended the decision for the national team to return to Test cricket this year amid criticism over their performance at the World Cup.

Zimbabwe lost to Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to crash out of the World Cup in the group stage.

Coltart claimed the players’ abilities aren’t particularly conducive to doing well in one-day cricket, saying “in 2004 and 2005 when we stopped playing tests, we did not play a lot of four-day cricket. We now do.”

Newsday

By Tatenda Chitagu

March 22 2011

The recent incarceration of Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC-T co-chairperson of Copac, did not have anything to do with politics, his Zanu PF counterpart Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana has said.

Mwonzora, MDC-T MP for Nyanga North, spent nearly a month in remand prison after he was arrested for allegedly inciting public violence.

In an interview, on the sidelines of the anti-sanctions petition launch in Masvingo on Saturday, Mangwana said no Copac material was tampered with during Mwonzora’s absence as there were other members from other political parties.

“It was progress as usual. Everything was going on as normal. We did not miss Mwonzora,” Mangwana said.

“There was no tampering with the people’s views as you know that there are other members from the three parties in the GPA. The other co-chair, Edward Mkhosi, of the MDC, was also there, as well as other members of the select committee, monitoring what was going on, so there is nothing like that.”

Other members of the committee include MPs Jessie Majome, Flora Bhuka, Amos Chibaya, Walter Chidakwa,Gift Chimanikire, Edward Chindori-Chininga, David Coltart, Gladys Dube, Joram Gumbo, Ian Kay, Martin Khumalo, Believe Gaule, Cephas Makuyana, and Thokozile Mathuthu, among others.

“To say Zanu PF got a chance to alter the people’s views in the absence of the MDC-T co-chair is unfounded. These are unwarranted allegations,” Mangwana said.

Mangwana said Copac was engaged in uploading of data which he said should be over by the end of March.

He said the draft constitution should be out by August or at the latest, September.

He said Copac had acquired $9 million from the government and donors to facilitate the process.

“We managed to get $9 million last week. Treasury released $5 million, and we got the remainder from donors.”

Mangwana said an extra $3 million would be needed for Copac to complete the replacement of the current Constitution, a product of the Lancaster House Conference of 1979.

“We will need another $3 million to complete the process.

“We intend to get half from government and half from donors,” said Mangwana.

Newsday

By Dumisani Sibanda and Nduduzo Tshuma

22 March 2011

The MDC-T controlled Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has shot down a Zanu PF request to use council schools as anti-sanctions petition signing centres.

On Monday, Zanu PF announced it had established signing centres at 54 schools in Bulawayo province where the public are expected to append their signatures denouncing the travel and economic embargo imposed on Zanu PF leaders and functionaries by Western countries.

BCC has 29 primary schools. Out of these, 16 have been short-listed by Zanu PF as proposed anti-sanctions petition signing centres.

BCC chamber secretary Sikhangele Zhou on Monday confirmed they had turned down the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development’s request to use council schools as anti-sanctions petition signing centres.

“The councillors said schools should not be used for non-educational activities. It was suggested that they use public halls by booking and paying for them in the usual manner and I understand they have booked and paid for Stanley Hall,” she said.

“The decision is in line with government policy as announced by minister David Coltart himself.”

Coltart is the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and is on record denouncing the use of school premises for political activities.

On Monday, Coltart said he was taken aback by the Zanu PF decision to use schools as anti-sanctions petition signing centres and said he would immediately consult Secretary for Education Stephen Mahere to find out whether he had sanctioned the decision.

“We do not support any political or party activity in schools,” said Coltart.

Asked what he would do if the permanent secretary did not sanction the use of schools, Coltart said:

“I am going to discuss the matter with my senior staff to find out what is the best way forward. If it is a Zanu PF activity, then it is totally unacceptable. We have a clear and consistent policy against the holding of party and political activities in schools.”

Though Zanu PF has described the activity as a national exercise, other political parties in the inclusive government have snubbed it arguing it was a Zanu PF project.

At the weekend, Zanu PF launched its anti-sanctions campaign in all the country’s provinces.

The programme is expected to run until the end of March.

Herald

Monday, 21 March 2011

From Robson Sharuko in KOLKATA, India

DELIRIOUS Dynamos fans turned to the social media forums last night, in cyberspace celebrations to salute the Glamour Boys, after they overpowered Maouloudia Club Alger 4-1 at Rufaro, in a sensational start to their Champions League campaign.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, also sent a message, via Facebook, congratulating Dynamos.

Not since a 6-1 destruction of Mbabane Highlanders of Swaziland in 1987 have the Glamour Boys made such a storming start to their campaign on the continent and, after having waited for almost a quarter-of-a-century, it probably explains the frenzy of joy that swept through their fans’ hearts yesterday.

Times have certainly changed, for both Dynamos and the old Cup of Club Champions which now goes with the trendy identity of Champions League, but yesterday – as the Glamour Boys raced to a 4-0 lead and then settled for a 4-1 win, it provided a hint of a throwback to the days when Rufaro was a burial ground for visiting teams.

Their victims yesterday, commonly known as MC Alger, are not small boys either.

Exactly 35 years might have passed since they were last crowned champions of Africa but they are a seasoned lot and there is a reason why they have won seven Algerian league championship titles.

What appeared to impress the Dynamos fans who were at Rufaro yesterday, and who provided the live feeds via the social media forums to their counterparts spread around the globe, was not that their team won 4-1 but the impressive manner that they went about their business.

Most of the fans who tweeted or sent their updates on Facebook appeared to convinced that their team had undergone a stunning transformation, since the arrival of artistic coach Lloyd Mutasa, and a certain swagger had been added to its play.

To the DeMbare loyalists, Mutasa and his men had already shown them a lot, during the pre-season matches, to make them believe in a better season where football would be played with style.

According to their fans, it was Denver Mukamba who illuminated the show, capping it all with a good goal, and the Warriors’ fans will be hoping that the young forward takes his good form into next weekend’s big game against Mali in Bamako. But yesterday belonged to DeMbare and judging by their messages on the social media forums they believe their team has done enough to advance:

Quote Of The Day:

“I think (Lloyd) Mutasa is Zimbabwe’s (Pep) Guardiola. I’m seeing the class of Barca, the spirit of Man U, the youth of Arsenal, the defence of Italy, the voice of the Kop and the royalty of Real Madrid in this Dynamos team,” – VaShagare, Dynamos fan.

Other Comments

Samson Makunde: Good football from DeMbare. I hope the Warriors will learn from DeMbare.Well done DeMbare.

Wellington Shoriwa: Mutasa is our Mourinho in the making. He is shrewd and tactical

Lloyd Chirinda: It can only be DeMbare. DeMbare chete, chete, chete. Waziva Dynamos, waziva chokwadi. You will never go wrong.

Gondai Mazhuwa: That’s good news really, if Mighty Bulls had done the same, it could have been a good weekend for Zimbabwean sport. Well done DeMbare, like I said before only DeMbare can make us proud on the international scene. Well done to Mutasa and his technical team, supporters and, of course, the real superstars, the players. Well done.

SiyabongaVaDube (CAPS United fan): The Champions League is coming to Zim, team yakabatana iyi. What remains is to prime the youthful guys for the big stage. Concentration levels must remain high. But super performance, conjures memories of ‘98 but with a bit more style. Bhora Dembare. The guys should not grow big heads chete and I assure you Africa will be conquered. But from what I have seen Dynamos is a complete team. Game over, well done Lodza, well done Boys in Blue. Ndiri muKepeKepe but vakomana veblue vakaipa.

Joseph Musarurwa: Great stuff from a great teamAlfred Mutendera: The goal by Denver Mukamba was so good, it was just like watching Messi or Rooney. Magical stuff Dembare

Eliah Mulonda: The youngsters need to be told not to give unnecessary penalties and for Arubi not to get stupid yellow cards otherwise it was a good show. Well done guys

Chris Gutsa: Denver Mukamba’s goal was one for the archives. I salute the young man and pray that publicity won’t get to his head. He is a magician.

Mark Moteme: Thanks guys, thanks DeMbare, this shows that we can compete with the world. TP Mazembe be warned. Zimbabwe this time means business.

Onias Peterson Joshua Matava: Vimisayi is awesome, since at school.

Lazarus Ndenda: Zvinoda kutendwa. Go DeMbare!

Kenneth Chadiwa: Since 1963, DeMbare

Musa Karemela: I am a CAPS United supporter but l would like to congratulate Madzibaba Mutasa. A passing game for DeMbare helped them achieve the result. I hope they do the same in Algeria.

Jonathan Mutonga: Mukamba special.Veteran Desmond played brilliantly.

Lucky Hombarume: It’s a job well done by DeMbare and if they keep up that kind of play they will make us a happy people. Makorokoto maDeMbare.

William Masiyiwa: Well done Glamour Boys.

Robert Wilson: Varume ava vakaipa.

Phillip Hozo: Skies are blue for DeMbare

Edmore Chivizhe: Charamba’s song – Team yeDeMbare makaida Baba, makatipa Denver, tina Vimisayi, makatida Baba, Makatipa Mutuma na Zhokinyi, makaita basa, Apo tinoenda Algeria muirangarire. Dynamo bhora and I will make shuwa that ini nemhuri yangu tichasapota dzamara tafa.

Mark Ganje: DeMbare makapenga, what a match, I’m having a drink, Desmond Maringwa is a star.

Claudius Manyadza: I am a CAPS United die-hard supporter and (thank you) for representing our beloved Zimbabwe so well in the Champions League. It’s unfortunate the Mighty Bulls had to bow out through the lottery (because of) political unrest in Ivory Coast. Who knows, maybe Joey and his boys were to get a victory in Abijan.

Petra  Schools

By the Chaplain

http://petrahigh.com/chaplain.html

21 March 2011

We celebrate Founders Weekend to give thanks to God for His provision of the schools to the community and remember the people who have been involved in the building up of the Petra schools over the last twenty four years.  Petra started as a longing in the hearts of many Christian parents to see a school established with Christian principles and able to offer good education. A motion was put forward at the Bulawayo Presbyterian Church A.G.M. in 1986 by one of the then elders Mr David Coltart to commence work on establishing a Christian School.

Three churches joined forces in this project: the Presbyterians, the Baptists and the Methodists. By 1987 the Primary School opened as Grade 1 in the Bulawayo Baptist Church, with Mrs Monica Ainscough as Headmistress, Sandy Adams as Bursar, and  Christopher Hingley as the first Chaplain.  Some of the names on the original steering committee included John Cuddington, David Coltart, Brian and Jenny Anderson, Rob and Gloria Drayton, Ian Spence and Jan Kreft.

They were supported by the technical team of Angus Burroughs, Angus Wilson, Peter Rix, Kevin Thomson and Malcolm Davidson. By December 1987 the first block, which is today’s Grade 3 and 4 block, was ready for occupancy. In January 1988 Grade one and Grade two classes took up residence in the new buildings. During this time work commenced on the second block and the fields began to be developed.

Over the years the Primary School developed and today boasts a significant complex with Hall, Administration Blocks and Departments from Grade 0 to Grade 7, including progress classes. The Headmasters who have led the school over the years include Monica Ainscough, Ray Pountney, Bafundi Mpofu, and Gibson Connick. The school operated under a Board of Governors who answered to a Trust consisting of John Cuddington, David Coltart, Dennis Payne and Brian Anderson.

As the existing school began to reach senior grades a new steering committee was established.  Some of the people involved in that committee included Rodney Capon, Raymond Tink, Lolka Bokma, Steve Leach, Victor Nakah, Malcolm Davidson and Linda Spence. The High School started with 60 pupils in Form One in 1993, using the present Grade One and Two block at the Primary School, and an old Lewis Lumber shed as the Office, until later taking over the office in the Primary School Administration Block, used as the sick bay today.  In the mid 1990’s the schools formed two separate Boards as it was felt that the schools at that time had specific and different needs from each other. This was under the chairmanship of John Cuddington and Christopher Hingley;  new chairmen followed in the years to come, including James Bunt, Gavin Davies Coleman, Richard Pope, Themba Nkomo,  Shupi Nyoni,  and Edson Ngaaseke.

The High School commenced construction of the double storey block in 1993 and the following year Forms one and two were housed in the new building. Some of the names of the first members of staff were S. Lubbe, L. Spence, M. Davidson, A. Motsi, T. McGovern, E. Anderson, S. Moyo, G. Pattison, B. Pagden, K. Thomson, M. Ndlovu, A. Davidson, C. Capon, and P. Cuddington. The Chaplains included Ray Motsi, Chris Anderson, Rob Goodwin and Farai Mbarimi. The first Headmaster, Mr Tim Middleton, arrived in the third term of 1993.  He was succeeded by Ray Pountney, Christopher Hingley, Joe Mandikate and Crispin Eley.

Today the High School has developed with some wonderful infrastructure, including Science labs, Computer labs, Sixth Form Centre, art rooms, drawing rooms and a Beit Centre and Library, along with an Administration Block. There are over 1200 pupils enrolled in the schools and a combined staff in excess of 100. It is estimated that some 3000 pupils have passed through the Petra school s over the years, many of whom are married with children and who are impacting the country and the world through life skills, values, education and faith nurtured and developed at Petra.

At the Founders’ Weekend we pause and give God honour and glory for what He has accomplished at Petra through the labour of Trusts, Boards, the Staff, the Pupils and the Parents and the many servants of Petra along the way, both past and present, who have faithfully played their part in the schools. We join in prayer at this time too, for provision and guidance of Petra School’s future years to  come.

The Associated Press

By Enock Muchinjo

21 March 2011

Zimbabwe Sports Minister David Coltart has defended the decision for the national team to return to test cricket this year amid criticism over its performance at the World Cup.

Zimbabwe lost to Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to crash out of the World Cup in the group stage.

The African team convincingly beat Associate sides Canada and Kenya, but had been hoping for at least one upset in the other Group A matches in order to progress to the knockout stage.

Zimbabwe will return to the five-day format in a one-off test against Bangladesh in August at a date to be confirmed. The team will then host other one-off tests, against Pakistan in September and New Zealand in October or November.

Asked how Zimbabwe could reasonably expect to compete in test cricket, Coltart said the players’ abilities aren’t particularly conducive to doing well in limited-overs matches.

“There is a difference between test cricket and one-day cricket,” he told The Associated Press. “There is no doubt that some of our players are perhaps better suited to test cricket. We have a variety of spin bowlers who can keep things tight at test level.

“We have had a good start to our preparations for a test return. In 2004 and 2005 when we stopped playing tests, we did not play a lot of four-day cricket. We now do. We must be under no illusion — it will take quite an adjustment.”

Coltart nominated Sean Ervine, who was called up into the World Cup squad before having to withdraw due to a fractured thumb, as one player better suited to test cricket.

“Sean Ervine is a good Test cricketer. I don’t want to disrespect him, but he is better suited to tests than ODI cricket,” Coltart said. “Before he withdrew, there were question marks about him being good enough in the first place.

“We need people like that back. One weakness we have is that we have a lot of young players who are hotheaded. In tests you need to be coolheaded.”

Zimbabwe finished fifth in its group with a run-rate of +0.030 to be the only team not to qualify for the quarterfinals that had a positive scoring rate, a fact pointed out by Coltart.

“We were never thrashed,” Coltart said. “While the team didn’t perform to our expectations, the other teams never had a complete success against us. No team was able to score rapidly against our spinners.

“What I observed was a psychological weakness against the big teams when batting. We psyched ourselves out of these games. I think we were overpowered by the big teams. Against Kenya and Canada we were relaxed and played to our potential. In essence, we will only do well when we start to be a bit more positive in our thinking. “

Standard

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

Sunday, 20 March 2011

By Jennifer Dube

GOVERMENT will soon roll out a programme to restock secondary schools with textbooks after a similar initiative saw 13 million books being given to primary schools last year.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart said funding had already been obtained for the programme to make sure that students did not share textbooks.

The Education Transition Fund (ETF) delivered 13 million text books to 5 575 schools around the country and Coltart said the pupil/textbook ration was now 1:1.

Unicef and other donors bankrolled ETF.

“We want to have 1:1 ratios for all textbooks at secondary schools as well so that we can restore excellence in our education sector,” he said.

Coltart was speaking at an event to commission the electrification of classroom blocks at Westlea Primary School.

The government and the international donor community, led by Unicef last year supplied textbooks to over 5 575 schools under the first phase of the ETF, a multi-donor funding mechanism designed to mobilise resources for the education sector.

Most schools were operating on a 10:1 pupils to textbook ratio.

The electrification of Westlea Primary was part of various projects being

initiated by Harare West constituency MP Jessie Majome under the

Constituency Development Fund.